The Nine Number: Not-So-Free Agency

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports9 - The number of unrestricted and restricted free agents that the Caps have as this season for the ages as defending Stanley Cup champions comes to a close (source: capfriendly.com). Of this group, four are unrestricted: Carl Hagelin, Brett Connolly, Devante Smith-Pelly, and Brooks Orpik. Among the restricted are Andre Burakovsky, Dmitrij Jaskin, Jakub Vrana, Chandler Stephenson, and Christian Djoos. All but Vrana are arbitration-eligible.

It is never easy to contemplate the departure of players that have become so closely followed, some since they were draft picks, others who came to Washington by choice as free agents or by other means. But turnover is a part…